Hebrews 9:3...ark of the covenant...gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant

I. The Tabernacle reveals Truth about the relationship between God and Man

Fence/Veil - God is holy, or separate from man, and must be approached on His revealed terms

Bronze Altar - blood sacrifice to cover sin (Lev 17:11 rebellion is worthy of death) once for all

Laver - we are to be both forgiven and cleansed (1Jn 1:9) and holy as He is holy (1Pt 1:15)

Shewbread - shows God wants our Sacrificial Service

Golden Altar of Incense - indicates His requirement for Praising Prayer (Person and acts)

Lampstand -  reveals our responsibility to live constantly for the glory of God (fuel by HS with daily trimming)

II. The Ark of the Covenant - We relate to God on the basis of His revealed law and grace/mercy

Ex 25:21  "You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. 22  "And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

Dt 31:26 Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that it may be there as a witness against you

A. The Law specifies what we have to do in order to be blessed by God. It keeps us out of trouble and on the path of blessing.

 Dt 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

B. Mercy Seat reminds us of God’s provision for our rebellion/disobedience. God forgives on the basis of Christ’s one time sacrifice.

Heb 10:12  But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,

Titus 3: 5  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, (see also Eph 2:8-10 By grace you have been saved, through faith... not of works...

III. The Golden Pot of Manna - We are supernaturally nourished as we Abide in Christ on a Daily Basis

Ex 16:32...kept for your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of Egypt.'"

A. Means of Life Dt 32: 46  and He said to them: "Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe--all the words of this law. 47  "For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess."

B. Bread of Life Jn 6:35,40,47, 51  "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." 53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven----not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever. 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

C. Bear or Burn Jn 15: 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

IV. Aaron’s Rod that Budded - God puts us under authority for our benefit - submit & esteem

Num 17:10 "Bring Aaron's rod...be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die."

A. We relate to God in accordance with authority  Num 16:3...You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" 4  when Moses heard it, he fell on his face; 41 On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the LORD."

B. God’s authority gives life, builds up, His rod and staff comfort 2 Cor 10:8...our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification...

Rm 13:2  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 4  For he is God's minister to you for good. See also Heb 13:17 (persuaded); 1Thess5:12-13; 1Pt 2:23 (unjust)

Questions for Discussion/Reflection/Response:

1. How do you respond to someone who says the God of the OT was a God of Law, and the God of the NT is a God of mercy and grace?

2. What’s the big deal about meeting with God? How does a pagan’s claim they’re meeting with God differ from a Christian’s experience?

3. Why does the Word nourish some and numb the brain of others? How does abiding differ from Bible Study or Quiet Time?

4. Why is authority viewed as a bad thing in our culture? What are some benefits of authority? How should we relate to imperfect authority?

5. How will you meet with God and be nourished by Him this week?